U.S. patent application number 10/500465 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-16 for head-protective airbag device.
Invention is credited to Kino, Masao, Koyama, Toru, Mizuno, Yoshio, Ogata, Tetsuya, Tanase, Toshinori.
Application Number | 20050127644 10/500465 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27806950 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050127644 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kino, Masao ; et
al. |
June 16, 2005 |
Head-protective airbag device
Abstract
The head-protecting airbag device (M1) includes an airbag (12)
provided with a gas admissive portion (13) and a non-admissive
portion (23). The gas admissive portion (13) includes a gas feed
passage (14) for feeding inflation gas G toward both front and
rearwards of the vehicle, and a plurality of vertical chambers (17)
juxtaposed along front-rear direction of the vehicle. Each of the
vertical chambers (17) includes a communication port at its upper
end for communicating with the gas feed passage (14). The
substantial lengths of a vehicle's outer wall (13b) and an inner
wall (13a) of the airbag (12) are differentiated from each other by
a belt (31) in the periphery (19) of the communication port (18).
Thus the periphery (19) of the communication port (18) guides
inflation gas (G) obliquely down and toward the vehicle's exterior
(O) when inflation gas (G) flows into the vertical chamber (17) via
the communication port. The head-protecting airbag device (M1) is
made compact and improves workability in the mounting work on the
vehicle while ensuring downward deployment of the airbag (12) along
the window (W).
Inventors: |
Kino, Masao; (Aichi-ken,
JP) ; Tanase, Toshinori; (Aichi-ken, JP) ;
Ogata, Tetsuya; (Aichi-ken, JP) ; Mizuno, Yoshio;
(Aichi-ken, JP) ; Koyama, Toru; (Aichi-ken,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POSZ LAW GROUP, PLC
12040 SOUTH LAKES DRIVE
SUITE 101
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Family ID: |
27806950 |
Appl. No.: |
10/500465 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 5, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP03/02538 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/730.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 21/2342 20130101;
B60R 2021/23386 20130101; B60R 21/2346 20130101; B60R 2021/23316
20130101; B60R 21/213 20130101; B60R 21/237 20130101; B60R 21/2338
20130101; B60R 21/232 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/730.2 |
International
Class: |
B60R 021/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 8, 2002 |
JP |
2002-64090 |
Jan 30, 2003 |
JP |
2003-22591 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A head-protecting airbag device for a vehicle comprising an
airbag folded and housed in the upper edge of windows inside a
vehicle, and deployable downward along the windows when fed with
inflation gas, wherein: the airbag includes: a gas admissive
portion, which is inflatable with inflation gas by separating a
vehicle's inner wall and an outer wall of the airbag; and a
non-admissive portion, which is formed by joining the vehicle's
inner wall and outer wall and admits no inflation gas; the gas
admissive portion includes: a gas feed passage extending along the
upper edge of the airbag as flatly expanded for feeding inflation
gas along front-rear direction; and a plurality of vertical
chambers juxtaposed along the front-rear direction of the vehicle,
each of the vertical chambers being provided at upper end thereof
with a communication port for communicating with the gas feed
passage; and a gas flow regulating means is located in at least one
of the vertical chambers, whereby, when inflation gas flows into
the vertical chamber via the communication port, the inflation gas
is directed obliquely down and toward the vehicle's exterior.
2. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 1, wherein:
substantial length of the vehicle's outer wall and substantial
length of the inner wall are differentiated from each other in the
gas feed passage in the periphery of the communication port of the
at least one vertical chamber; and the difference of the lengths of
the vehicle's outer and inner walls constitutes the gas flow
regulating means.
3. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 1, wherein:
the airbag includes a flexible belt in an exterior side thereof,
the belt being joined to the vicinity of the at least one vertical
chamber and to a vehicle body in the vicinity of a housing position
of the airbag, whereby the vertical chamber, when inflated, is
pressed toward the window; and the belt constitutes the gas flow
regulating means.
4. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 1, wherein:
the gas admissive portion includes an auxiliary chamber located
above the gas feed passage for, upon airbag deployment, inflating
between a panel as part of the vehicle body and an airbag cover in
the vicinity of the housing position of the airbag, the airbag
cover being openably covering an airbag side toward the vehicle's
interior; and the auxiliary chamber constitutes the gas flow
regulating means.
5. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 4, wherein
the auxiliary chamber is located in plurality, respectively above
predetermined numbers of the vertical chambers.
6. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 5, wherein
the opening dimension of each of the auxiliary chambers in the
front-rear direction and the opening dimension of the communication
port located below the auxiliary chamber in the front-rear
direction are equal to each other.
7. The head-protecting airbag device according to either one of
claim 4 to claim 6, wherein the airbag includes a mounting portion
for attachment to the panel of vehicle body, the mounting portion
being located, when the airbag is completely inflated, below the
upper end of the auxiliary chamber and above the vertical
chamber.
8. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 5, wherein:
the airbag includes a secondary chamber inflatable below the gas
feed passage, the secondary chamber not being communicated with the
gas feed passage at upper end thereof; the vertical chambers having
the auxiliary chambers thereabove are located in both front and
rear of the secondary chamber; and the secondary chamber is
communicated with lower part of at least one of the front and rear
vertical chambers, whereby inflation gas flows into the secondary
chamber.
9. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 1, wherein:
the gas admissive portion includes a joining inflatable portion
located between the gas feed passage and the vertical chambers for,
upon airbag deployment, inflating between a panel as part of the
vehicle body and an airbag cover in the vicinity of the housing
position of the airbag, the airbag cover being openably covering an
airbag side toward the vehicle's interior; and the joining
inflatable portion constitutes the gas flow regulating means.
10. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 1,
wherein: a holder is located proximate to the housing position of
the airbag for holding and fixing the periphery of the
communication port of at least one of the vertical chambers upon
airbag deployment; and the holder constitutes the gas flow
regulating means.
11. The head-protecting airbag device according to claim 1,
wherein: a part of the airbag cover openeably covering an airbag
side toward the vehicle's interior in the vicinity of the housing
position of the airbag is suppressed from opening toward the
vehicle's interior than remaining part of the airbag cover, whereby
at least one of the vertical chambers deploys while being pressed
toward the vehicle's exterior; and the part of the airbag cover
suppressed from opening constitutes the gas flow regulating means.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a head-protecting airbag
device including an airbag which is folded and housed in the upper
edge of windows in the interior of vehicle, and deployable downward
along the windows upon inflow of inflation gas.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In the prior art, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-249089,
for example, discloses a head-protecting airbag device which
includes a vertically extended sliding rail in a pillar portion for
smoothing airbag deployment along windows. The airbag device
includes an airbag provided with a guide member to be connected to
the sliding rail.
[0003] With this arrangement, however, the airbag device cannot be
constructed compactly because the airbag device requires a
vertically elongate sliding rail to be located in the pillar
portion while the folded airbag itself is housed in the upper edge
of windows. In addition, when the airbag device is mounted on a
vehicle, as the sliding rail is attached to the pillar portion, the
folded airbag has to be mounted on the vehicle with the guide
member connected to the sliding rail. This and an extensive working
area required in the mounting work conjointly complicate the
mounting work.
[0004] Moreover, the pillar portion is usually provided with a
pillar garnish on the vehicle's interior side. When the sliding
rail is covered with the pillar garnish in consideration of
appearance, the garnish needs to include an opening such that the
guide member may smoothly slide in the sliding rail. In other
words, with the above arrangement, the pillar garnish must be
changed to one in which an opening can be formed.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0005] The present invention contemplates to solve the above
problems, and therefore, has an object to provide a head-protecting
airbag device which is constructed compactly and improves mounting
work on a vehicle, while securing smooth downward airbag deployment
along windows.
[0006] The head-protecting airbag device according to the present
invention includes an airbag which is folded and housed in the
upper edge of windows inside a vehicle, and is deployable downward
along the windows when fed with inflation gas. The airbag includes:
a gas admissive portion which is inflatable with inflation gas by
separating a vehicle's inner wall and an outer wall of the airbag;
and a non-admissive portion which is formed by joining the
vehicle's inner wall and outer wall and admits no inflation gas.
The gas admissive portion includes: a gas feed passage extending
along the upper edge of the airbag as flatly expanded for feeding
inflation gas toward front and rear directions; and a plurality of
vertical chambers juxtaposed along the front-rear direction of the
vehicle. Each of the vertical chambers is provided at its upper end
with a communication port for communicating with the gas feed
passage. There is a gas flow regulating means in at least one of
the vertical chambers by which, when inflation gas flows into the
vertical chamber via the communication port, the inflation gas is
directed obliquely down and toward the vehicle's exterior.
[0007] When inflation gas is fed into the airbag after the
head-protecting airbag device of the present invention is mounted
on the vehicle, inflation gas flows through the gas feed passage
along the front-rear direction, and then is supplied to the
plurality of juxtaposed vertical chambers via each of the
communication ports. Then the air bag expands downward from the
upper edge of windows inside the vehicle, and completes
inflation.
[0008] At this time, since the airbag device of the present
invention is provided with a gas flow regulating means in at least
one of the vertical chambers, inflation gas flows into the vertical
chamber via the communication port while being directed down and
toward the vehicle's exterior. Accordingly, the vertical chamber
expands downward along the window, and thus the entire airbag
expands along the window, and then completes inflation.
[0009] This gas flow regulating means has only to be located
proximate to the vertical chamber in a housed state so as to
regulate the flow of the gas flowing into the vertical chamber via
the communication port. This dispenses with a member which was
conventionally located in a pillar portion. Therefore, the airbag
device is made compact and improves workability in the mounting
work on the vehicle.
[0010] Therefore, the head-protecting airbag device of the present
invention is made compact and improves workability in the mounting
work on the vehicle while ensuring airbag deployment along the
window.
[0011] The gas flow regulating means may also be constituted by
differentiating the lengths of the periphery of at least one
communication port in the gas feed passage of the airbag. More
specifically, in the periphery of at least one communication port,
substantial lengths of the vehicle's inner wall and outer wall in
the gas feed passage of the airbag are differentiated from each
other such that inflation gas is directed obliquely down and toward
the vehicle's exterior when flowing into the vertical chamber via
the communication port.
[0012] With this arrangement, airbag deployment along the window is
ensured merely by differentiating the substantial lengths of the
vehicle's outer wall and inner wall of the airbag in the periphery
of at least one communication port in the gas feed passage. As an
arrangement to differentiate the substantial lengths of the
vehicle's outer wall and inner wall, a flexible belt is attached to
the airbag such that tucks are formed in the vehicle's inner wall,
for example. That is, the arrangement is constructed by the airbag
itself. This dispenses with a separate member conventionally
located in a pillar portion, so that the airbag device is made
compact. In addition, the mounting work of the airbag is
facilitated since the airbag deployable along the windows can be
mounted on the vehicle by folding and housing the airbag in the
upper edge of the windows together with the aforementioned
belt.
[0013] The length adjusting means to differentiate the substantial
lengths of the vehicle's outer wall and inner wall in the periphery
of at least one communication port in the gas feed passage of the
airbag may be constituted by a patch member, other than the
aforementioned belt for forming tucks, provided that it does not
hinder the folding work of the airbag and can be mounted on the
vehicle together with the airbag. This patch member is formed by
flexible reinforced fabric for preventing gas leakage, for example.
The patch member made of reinforced fabric is adhered either to the
outer surface or the inner surface of the vehicle's inner wall.
When the airbag inflates, with this arrangement, the portion in the
vehicle's inner wall to which the patch member is adhered stretches
less than the vehicle's outer wall. It will also be appreciated to
form the length adjusting means by changing the weaving density in
the vehicle's inner wall and outer wall. For example, the number of
warps and wefts is changed in weaving the vehicle's inner wall and
outer wall. More specifically, more warps and wefts are used to
form the vehicle's inner wall than in forming the vehicle's outer
wall, so that the inner wall is denser than the outer wall. In this
case, upon airbag deployment, the vehicle's inner wall stretches
less than the outer wall.
[0014] The gas flow regulating member may also be constituted by a
belt having flexibility. This belt is located in the airbag side
toward the vehicle's exterior and joined to the vicinity of at
least one vertical chamber and to the vehicle body near the housing
position of the airbag. This belt helps presses the inflating
vertical chamber toward the window.
[0015] With this arrangement, airbag deployment along windows is
ensured by merely locating a flexible belt that is joined to the
vicinity of at least one vertical chamber and to the vehicle body
in the vicinity of the housing position of the airbag in the
vehicle's exterior side of the airbag. Since a separate member
conventionally located in a pillar portion is not required, the
airbag device can be made compact. Moreover, this belt has
flexibility, and is joined to the vehicle body in the vicinity of
the housing position of the airbag and to the airbag. Accordingly,
if the airbag is folded up together with the belt that is joined
with the airbag, and is housed in the upper edge of windows with
the belt joined also to the vehicle body, the airbag that is
deployable along windows is easily mounted on the vehicle, so that
the mounting work on the vehicle is facilitated.
[0016] It will also be appreciated to locate auxiliary chambers as
the gas flow regulating means above the gas feed passage in the gas
admissive portion of the airbag completely inflated. This auxiliary
chamber inflates between a panel as part of the vehicle body and an
airbag cover in the vicinity of the housing position of the airbag.
The airbag cover openably covers an airbag side toward the
vehicle's interior.
[0017] In the airbag having the auxiliary chamber, when the
auxiliary chamber inflates together with the gas feed passage in
the initial stage of airbag inflation, the gas feed passage and the
auxiliary chamber are pushed by the airbag cover, and the auxiliary
chamber comes to abut against the panel of the vehicle body. At
this time, since the panel of the vehicle body is slanted toward
the vehicle's exterior as it goes down, the auxiliary chamber
supported by the panel of the vehicle body direct its lower part
toward the exterior. Then inflation gas flowing into the vertical
chamber via the communication port from the gas feed passage is
directed down and toward the exterior. As a result, the vertical
chamber is pressed toward the window while inflating. This
arrangement dispenses with a separate member conventionally located
in a pillar portion by merely locating the auxiliary chamber in the
gas admissive portion of the airbag. Therefore, the airbag device
is made compact, and workability is improved in the mounting work
on a vehicle.
[0018] It is desirable to locate one auxiliary chamber respectively
above predetermined numbers of the vertical chambers. With this
arrangement, each of the predetermined numbers of the vertical
chambers has one auxiliary chamber thereabove. Accordingly, all
those vertical chambers are able to inflate along windows, so that
the entire airbag stably deploys along windows.
[0019] In this case, it is desirable that the dimension of each of
the auxiliary chambers in the front-rear direction and the opening
dimension of the communication port below the auxiliary chamber in
the front-rear direction are equal to each other. In the initial
stage of airbag inflation, with this arrangement, each of the
auxiliary chambers and an upper part of the vertical chamber
cooperatively inflate in a vertically elongate rod-shape having
rigidity. Therefore, the vertical chambers further stably deploy
along the windows.
[0020] When the auxiliary chambers are provided, it is desirable to
locate mounting portions for attaching the airbag to the panel of
the vehicle body, below the upper ends of the auxiliary chambers
and above the vertical chambers as the airbag is completely
inflated. With this arrangement, when each of the auxiliary
chambers is inflated and supported by the panel of the vehicle
body, the inflating vertical chamber below the auxiliary chamber is
pressed toward the window like a lever in which the mounting
portions serve as fulcrum. That is, the vertical chambers are able
to deploy along the windows stably whether or not the airbag cover
presses the gas feed passage and the auxiliary chambers.
[0021] When the auxiliary chambers are provided, it will also be
appreciated to locate a secondary chamber in the airbag that is
inflatable below the gas feed passage as the airbag is completely
inflated and is not communicated with the gas feed passage at its
upper end. In both front and rear of the secondary chamber are
located the vertical chambers having the auxiliary chambers
thereabove. Moreover, the secondary chamber is communicated with
lower part of at least one of the front and rear vertical chambers,
which serves as an inlet port for in letting inflation gas in the
secondary chamber. With this arrangement, the secondary chamber is
able to complete downward expansion in a thin condition before
admitting inflation gas by the vertical chambers located left and
right hand sides thereof, and then inflate admitting inflation gas
from the inlet port. Accordingly, the secondary chamber of the
airbag is able to cover the vehicle's inner side of a pillar
portion smoothly even in the pillar portion with a narrow space
between occupants and windows.
[0022] It will also be appreciated to locate a joining inflatable
portion in the gas admissive portion of the airbag for constituting
the gas flow regulating means. This joining inflatable portion is
located vertically between the gas feed passage and the vertical
chambers upon airbag deployment, and inflates between the panel of
vehicle body and the airbag cover for openably covering an airbag
side toward the vehicle's interior, in the vicinity of the housing
for the airbag.
[0023] In this airbag, the joining inflatable portion located below
the gas feed passage carries out the function of the aforementioned
auxiliary chambers. More specifically, if the joining inflatable
portion inflates together with the gas feed passage in the initial
stage of airbag inflation, the gas feed passage and the joining
inflatable portion are pushed by the airbag cover, and the joining
inflatable portion comes to abut against and supported by the panel
of vehicle body. At this time, since the panel is slanted toward
the vehicle's exterior as it goes down, the joining inflatable
portion supported by the panel directs its lower part toward the
vehicle's exterior. Then inflation gas flows into the vertical
chambers via the communication ports from the gas feed passage
while being directed down and toward the vehicle's exterior. As a
result, the vertical chambers are pressed toward the windows while
inflating. This arrangement dispenses with a separate member
conventionally located in a pillar portion by merely locating the
joining inflatable portion in the gas admissive portion of the
airbag. Therefore, the airbag device is made compact, and
workability is improved in mounting on the vehicle.
[0024] It will also be appreciated to constitute the gas flow
regulating means by a holder that is located proximate to the
housing position of the airbag for holding and fixing a periphery
of the communication port of at least one of the vertical chambers
upon airbag deployment.
[0025] In this airbag device, the holder is able to securely
regulate the direction of inflation gas flowing into the vertical
chamber down and toward the vehicle's exterior by holding the
periphery of the communication port, so that the vertical chamber
is able to deploy along the windows. The holder has only to be
located proximate to the communication port of the housed vertical
chamber, unlike a vertically elongate predetermined member
conventionally located in a pillar portion. Therefore, the airbag
device is made compact, and the workability is improved in mounting
the airbag device on the vehicle.
[0026] It will also be appreciated to constitute the gas flow
regulating member by a part of the airbag cover for openably
covering an airbag side toward the vehicle's interior in the
vicinity of the housing position of the airbag. This part of the
airbag cover is configured to be suppressed from opening toward the
vehicle's interior than remaining part of the airbag cover such
that at least one of the vertical chambers deploys while being
pressed toward the vehicle's exterior.
[0027] In this airbag device, upon airbag deployment, a
predetermined part of the airbag cover presses the vertical chamber
toward the vehicle's exterior compared with remaining part of the
airbag. Accordingly, the communication port of the vertical chamber
is directed down and toward the vehicle's exterior, and thus the
vertical chamber deploys along the window. This arrangement can be
made easily by merely enhancing the rigidity of a part of the
airbag cover, without changing the construction of the airbag
itself. That is, the airbag device dispenses with a separate member
which was conventionally located in a pillar portion, and thus is
constructed compactly. In addition, the airbag device is
constructed easily by merely changing the design of the airbag
cover, which has been a conventional part of the airbag device, so
that the airbag device does not increase the number of parts
mounted on the vehicle. Accordingly, the workability is improved in
mounting the airbag device on vehicle. With this arrangement, of
course, it is prevented to the utmost that deployment of the entire
airbag is delayed, since the airbag cover is not rigidified
entirely.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a first embodiment of
the head-protecting airbag device according to the present
invention in action, as viewed from the interior of vehicle;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a front view of an airbag used in the first
embodiment as flatly expanded;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged front view of the airbag of
FIG. 2 as flatly expanded;
[0031] FIG. 4 are schematic enlarged sections taken along line
IV-IV in FIG. 3 as the airbag is inflated, and FIG. 4A illustrates
an inflated condition of the airbag not regulated by a belt, while
FIG. 4B illustrates an inflated condition of the airbag being
regulated by the belt;
[0032] FIG. 5 are schematic enlarged sections taken along line V-V
in FIG. 3 as the airbag is inflated, and FIG. 5A illustrates an
inflated condition of the airbag not regulated by a belt, while
FIG. 5B illustrates an inflated condition of the airbag being
regulated by the belt;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged section taken along line
VI-VI of FIG. 3 as the airbag is inflated;
[0034] FIG. 7 are partial enlarged vertical sections illustrating
an inflation process of the airbag of FIG. 2, taken along line
VII-VII in FIG. 3;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged horizontal section of the
airbag of FIG. 2 in the inflation process, taken along line
VIII-VIII in FIG. 7B;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
of FIG. 2 in the inflation process, taken along line IX-IX in FIG.
3;
[0037] FIG. 10 is an enlarged section of the airbag of FIG. 2 in a
completely inflated condition following the condition of FIG.
9;
[0038] FIG. 11 are partial enlarged vertical sections illustrating
the inflation process of the airbag of FIG. 2, taken along line
XI-XI in FIG. 3;
[0039] FIG. 12 is an enlarged section of the airbag of FIG. 2 in a
completely inflated condition following the condition of FIG.
11;
[0040] FIG. 13 is a front view of a modification of the airbag of
the first embodiment as flatly expanded;
[0041] FIG. 14 are schematic enlarged sections taken along line
XIV-XIV in FIG. 13 as the airbag is inflated, and FIG. 14A
illustrates an inflated condition of the airbag not regulated by a
belt, while FIG. 14B illustrates an inflated condition of the
airbag being regulated by the belt;
[0042] FIG. 15 are schematic enlarged sections taken along line
XV-XV in FIG. 13 as the airbag is inflated, and FIG. 15A
illustrates an inflated condition of the airbag not regulated by a
belt, while FIG. 15B illustrates an inflated condition of the
airbag being regulated by the belt;
[0043] FIG. 16 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
shown in FIG. 13 in a housed state, taken along line XVI-XVI in
FIG. 13;
[0044] FIG. 17 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
part shown in FIG. 16 being inflated;
[0045] FIG. 18 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
shown in FIG. 13 in a housed state, taken along line XVIII-XVIII in
FIG. 13;
[0046] FIG. 19 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
part shown in FIG. 18 being inflated;
[0047] FIG. 20 is a front view of an airbag used in a second
embodiment of the head-protecting airbag device as flatly
expanded;
[0048] FIG. 21 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
of FIG. 20 in a housed state, taken along line XXI-XXI in FIG.
20;
[0049] FIG. 22 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
part shown in FIG. 21 being inflated;
[0050] FIG. 23 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
part shown in FIG. 22 completely inflated;
[0051] FIG. 24 is a front view of an airbag used in a third
embodiment of the head-protecting airbag device as flatly
expanded;
[0052] FIG. 25 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
of FIG. 24 in a housed state, taken along line XXV-XXV in FIG.
24;
[0053] FIG. 26 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
part shown in FIG. 25 being inflated;
[0054] FIG. 27 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
part shown in FIG. 26 completely inflated;
[0055] FIG. 28 is a front view of an airbag used in a fourth
embodiment of the head-protecting airbag device as flatly
expanded;
[0056] FIG. 29 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
of FIG. 28 in a housed state, taken along line XXIX-XXIX in FIG.
28;
[0057] FIG. 30 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
part shown in FIG. 29 being inflated;
[0058] FIG. 31 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
part shown in FIG. 30 completely inflated;
[0059] FIG. 32 is a front view of an airbag used in a fifth
embodiment of the head-protecting airbag device as flatly
expanded;
[0060] FIG. 33 is a partial perspective view of a holder that
constitutes a gas flow regulating means and an airbag in the fifth
embodiment;
[0061] FIG. 34 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
of FIG. 32 in a housed state, taken along line XXXIV-XXXIV in FIG.
32;
[0062] FIG. 35 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
part shown in FIG. 34 being inflated;
[0063] FIG. 36 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
part shown in FIG. 35 completely inflated;
[0064] FIG. 37 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
of FIG. 32 in a housed state, taken along line XXVII-XXVII in FIG.
32;
[0065] FIG. 38 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
part shown in FIG. 37 being inflated; and
[0066] FIG. 39 is a partial enlarged vertical section of the airbag
part shown in FIG. 38 completely inflated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0067] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described
below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0068] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the
head-protecting airbag device, as will be called a head-protecting
airbag device M1, includes an airbag 12, an inflator 39, mounting
brackets 37 and 40, an airbag cover 8, and a length adjuster 31 and
a suspender belt 33 both of which serve as a gas flow regulating
means 50. The airbag 12 is folded and housed in the upper edge of
windows W (W1 and W2) inside a vehicle V, in a range from a lower
edge of a front pillar FP to the upper side of a rear pillar RP,
via a lower edge of a roof side rail RR. Here, as referred to FIGS.
10 and 12, the windows W1 and W2 are configured to protrude toward
the vehicle's exterior O as they go down from the roof side rail RR
or the upper side.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 1, the inflator 39 is of a cylinder type
having a substantially cylindrical shape, and is joined with the
airbag 12 by a cramp 42 while being sheathed with a later-described
joint port 22 of the airbag 12. The inflator 39 is secured to an
inner panel 2 with the bracket 40 in the roof side rail RR near the
upper side of the center pillar CP, while being covered by the
lower edge 5a of a roof head lining 5. The inner panel 2 is a
member of a body 1 of the vehicle V. The mounting bracket 40 is
made of sheet metal, and is adapted to hold the inflator 39 and be
secured to the inner panel 2 by mounting bolts 41.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 7, each of the mounting brackets 37 is
formed of two sheet-metal plates, and is attached to a
later-described mounting portion 25 of the airbag 12 in a manner to
put the mounting portion 25 between the two plates, and secures the
mounting portion 25 to the inner panel 2 with a mounting bolt 38.
Individual mounting bolts 38 are fastened into mounting holes 2a
formed in the inner panel 2 each with a nut 2b.
[0071] The airbag cover 8 is formed of lower edges 4a and 5a of
each of a pillar garnish 4 arranged on the front pillar FP and a
roof head lining 5 arranged on the roof side rail RR. The front
pillar garnish 4 and the roof head lining 5 are made from synthetic
resin, and are secured to the vehicle's inner side of the inner
panel 2 of the vehicle body 1 in the front pillar FP and the roof
side rail RR, respectively. The roof head lining 5 is arranged from
upper side of the front pillar FP to upper side of the rear pillar
RP, via upper side of the center pillar CP.
[0072] The airbag 12 is made by hollow-weaving method utilizing
polyamide yarns or the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the airbag
12 expands from folded state by admitting inflation gas G from the
inflator 39, and deploys to cover the windows W (W1 and W2) and
pillar garnishes 7 and 6 each of the center pillar CP and the rear
pillar RP inside the vehicle. The airbag 12 includes a gas
admissive portion 13 which inflates to separate its vehicle's inner
wall 13a and vehicle's outer wall 13b upon inflow of inflation gas
G, and a non-admissive portion 23 which admits no inflation gas G.
The non-admissive portion 23 is formed by joining the vehicle's
inner wall 13a and outer wall 13b.
[0073] In the foregoing embodiment, the gas admissive portion 13
includes a gas feed passage 14, a front admissive portion 15, a
rear admissive portion 16, and a communication passage 21. The gas
feed passage 14 is disposed straightly near the upper edge 12a of
the airbag 12, along the front-rear direction of the vehicle V. In
a substantially middle position in the front-rear direction of the
gas feed passage 14 is formed a joint port 22 extending upward for
allowing inflation gas G from the inflator 39 to flow into the gas
admissive portion 13. When inflation gas flows into the gas feed
passage 14 from the joint port 22, inflation gas G flows both front
and rearwards of the vehicle V.
[0074] The front admissive portion 15 is located below and in front
part of the gas feed passage 14, and inflates to cover the window
W1 located at the side of a front seat of the vehicle V upon
deployment of the airbag 12. The rear admissive portion 16 is
located below and in rear part of the gas feed passage 14, and
inflates to cover the window W2 located at the side of a rear seat
of the vehicle V upon deployment of the airbag 12. The
communication passage 21 is disposed near the lower edge 12b of the
airbag 12 below a later-described panel portion 28 (rectangular
panel portion 28c) in the front-rear direction along the lower edge
12b, and communicates lower rear end part of the front admissive
portion 15 and lower front end part of the rear admissive portion
16.
[0075] Each of the front admissive portion 15 and the rear
admissive portion 16 is partitioned by later-described partitioning
portion 26, and includes a plurality of vertical chambers 17
juxtaposed along front-rear direction of the vehicle and each of
which inflates in a vertical rod shape. In each of upper ends of
the vertical chambers 17 (17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, 17E, 17F, 17G and
17H) is opened a communication port 18 (18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E,
18F, 18G and 18H) communicating with the gas feed passage 14. Five
vertical chambers 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D and 17E are juxtaposed within
the front admissive portion 15, and three vertical chambers 17F,
17G and 17H are juxtaposed within the rear admissive portion
16.
[0076] The non-admissive portion 23 includes a peripheral portion
24, a plurality of mounting portions 25, a plurality of
partitioning portions 26 and a panel portion 28. The peripheral
portion 24 is located to encircle the gas admissive portion 13.
[0077] The mounting portions 25 are formed, in the illustrated
embodiment, at six positions in the peripheral portion 24 and the
panel portion 28 (triangular panel portions 28a and 28b) in the
upper edge 12a of the airbag 12, and are projected upward
therefrom. As shown in FIG. 7, each of the mounting portions 25 is
provided with a mounting hole 25a for inserting a mounting bolt 38
therethrough, and a mounting bracket 37 is attached thereto for
attachment of the airbag 12 to the inner panel 2.
[0078] The panel portion 28 includes triangular panel portions 28a
and 28b each located at front and rear ends of the airbag 12, and a
rectangular panel portion 28c disposed in an area defined by the
front admissive portion 15, the rear admissive portion 16, the gas
feed passage 14 and the communication passage 21. The panel portion
28 is provided to secure an entire shape of the airbag 12, and to
help shorten a time for completing inflation by reducing the
capacity of the gas admissive portion 13. The triangular panel
portion 28a in the front side is projected forward from the front
edge of the peripheral portion 24, and the triangular panel portion
28b in the rear side is projected rearward from the rear edge of
the peripheral portion 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the
triangular panel portion 28a is sewn and joined to the front end of
the front admissive portion 15.
[0079] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the partitioning portions 26 are
located in the area of each of the front and rear admissive
portions 15 and 16. Each of the partitioning portions 26 is formed
into a substantially T shape as viewed from vehicle's interior, and
includes a horizontal portion 26a and a vertical portion 26b
extending downward from the center of the horizontal portion 26a.
These partitioning portions 26 (26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E and 26F)
are adapted to help the airbag 12 to inflate in a plate shape by
regulating the thickness of the airbag 12. Upon deployment of the
airbag 12, the individual vertical chambers 17 partitioned by the
partitioning portions 26 shorten their lengths in the front-rear
direction of the airbag 12 such that a tension in the front-rear
direction is exerted in the lower edge 12b of the airbag 12.
[0080] The three partitioning portions 26A, 26B and 26C in the
front side and two partitioning portions 26E and 26F in the rear
side are extending upward from the peripheral portion 24 in the
lower edge 12b of the airbag 12. On the other hand, the
partitioning portion 26D in front of the rectangular panel portion
28c is away from the peripheral portion 24. In upper end part of
the vertical portion 26b of each of the partitioning portions 26B
and 26C is formed a vertical slit 27 through the vehicle's exterior
O and interior I of the airbag 12.
[0081] The length adjuster 31 is adapted to differentiate
substantial lengths of the vehicle's outer wall 13b and inner wall
13a in the gas feed passage 14. As referred to FIGS. 2 and 3, the
length adjuster 31 is located at three positions in the vehicle's
inner side I of the airbag 12. The length adjuster 31A located
front most has its upper end 31a fastened to the vehicle's inner
side I of the mounting portion 25 (25B) by the bracket 37 above the
vertical chamber 17A, while having its lower end 31c extended
obliquely down and rearward from the upper end 31a, and sewn and
joined to the vehicle's inner side I of the horizontal portion 26a
of the front most partitioning portion 26A. The length adjuster 31C
located rearmost has its upper end 31a fastened to the vehicle's
inner side I of the mounting portion 25 (25C) by the bracket 37
above the vertical chamber 17D, while having its lower end 31c
extended obliquely down and forward from the upper end 31a, and
sewn and joined to the vehicle's inner side I of the horizontal
portion 26a of the partitioning portion 26C. The length adjusters
31A and 31C are provided at their upper ends 31a with holes 31b for
inserting the bolts 38 thereinto. The length adjuster 31B located
intermediate in the front-rear direction has its upper end 31a sewn
and joined to the vehicle's inner side I of the peripheral portion
24 above the partitioning portion 26B, while having its lower end
31c sewn and joined to the vehicle's inner side I of the horizontal
portion 26a of the partitioning portion 26B. The length adjuster
31( 31A, 31B and 31C) is made of flexible fabric woven of polyester
yarns, polyamide yarns or the like.
[0082] Upon inflow of inflation gas G, each length adjuster 31
helps guide inflation gas G in the periphery of the communication
ports 18A, 18B and 18C of the individual vertical chambers 17A, 17B
and 17C in the gas feed passage 14 such that inflation gas G flows
down obliquely toward the vehicle's exterior O into the vertical
chambers 17A, 17B and 17C via the communication ports 18A, 18B and
18C. Each length adjuster 31 guides inflation gas G in
predetermined direction by shortening substantial length of the
vehicle's inner wall 13a than that of the outer wall 13b. In the
foregoing embodiment, each belt 31 is shorter than a clearance
between the peripheral portion 24 and the horizontal portion 26a of
the partitioning portion 26 in the gas feed passage 14 as the air
bag 12 is flatly expanded. Moreover, the substantial vertical
length L of the gas feed passage 14 in the vehicle's inner wall 13a
is predetermined slightly shorter than a inner diameter DO of the
cylindrical gas feed passage 14 as inflated without the belt 31
(refer to FIGS. 4A and 4B). Upon deployment of the airbag 12, as
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the length adjuster 31 forms guide portions
19 where the inner wall 13a is risen toward the vehicle's exterior
O in the periphery of the communication ports 18A, 18B and 18C of
the individual vertical chambers 17A, 17B and 17C in the gas feed
passage 14. Each of the guide portions 19 directs inflation gas G
obliquely down toward the vehicle's exterior O and guides it into
the vertical chambers 17A, 17B and 17C. In the foregoing
embodiment, each of the guide portions 19 is configured such that
the vehicle's inner wall 13a rises gently toward the exterior O
from general portion 14a above the centers of the communication
ports 18A, 18B and 18C neighboring one another (from general
portion 14a of the gas feed passage 14 that is apart from locations
of the length adjuster 31), in upstream part of inflation gas G in
the periphery of the communication ports 18A, 18B and 18C in the
gas feed passage 14.
[0083] Width of each length adjuster 31 is predetermined shorter
than a dimension of the horizontal portion 26a of each of the
partitioning portions 26 in the front-rear direction, and
substantially equal to the dimension of each of the mounting
portions 25 in the front-rear direction.
[0084] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the suspender belt 33 includes a
cylindrically shaped ring portion 33a and a joint portion 33c. The
joint portion 33c is elongated upward with its lower end 33f
connected to a portion 33b of the ring portion 33a at the vehicle's
exterior side O. The suspender belt 33 is made of flexible fabric
woven of polyester yarns, polyamide yarns or the like, as the
length adjuster 31. The ring portion 33a is put through the
individual slits 27 formed in the partitioning portions 26B and
26C, so that the ring portion 33a contacts an outer circumference
of upper part 17a of the vertical chamber 17C as completely
inflated to wrap the upper part 17a. The joint portion 33c is
provided at its upper end with a hole 33e for inserting the bolt 38
therethrough and, as referred to FIG. 11, is secured to the inner
panel 2 at a housing position 11 of the airbag 12 by the bolt 38
after being clamped by a bracket 37, as the mounting portions
25.
[0085] The joint portion 33c is predetermined shorter than a
clearance between the peripheral portion 24 and upper end 27a of
the slit 27 in the gas feed passage 14 as the airbag 12 is flatly
expanded. Upon deployment of the airbag 12, the joint portion 33c
holds down the vehicle's inner portion 17c of the upper part 17a in
the vertical chamber 17C, and lifts the vehicle's outer portion 17b
of the upper part 17a toward the housing position 11. When the
airbag 12 is completely inflated, then, as referred to FIG. 12, the
joint portion 33c turns the lower part 17d around the upper part
17a toward the exterior O, such that the vertical chamber 17C is
pressed toward the window W1. In the foregoing embodiment, the
joint portion 33c is predetermined slightly shorter than the
clearance between the peripheral portion 24 and the upper end 27a
as the cylindrical gas feed passage 14 is inflated without the belt
31.
[0086] To mount the airbag device M1 on the vehicle V, each length
adjuster 31 is firstly sewn to the airbag 12. A member for forming
the ring portion 33a is inserted through the slits 27 of the airbag
12, and then its both ends are joined to each other to form the
ring portion 33a. In the meantime, the joint portion 33c is joined
to the ring portion 33a to locate the suspender belt 33 in the
airbag 12. Subsequently, the airbag 12 as flatly expanded is
bellows-folded together with the length adjuster 31 and the
suspender belt 33, sequentially on crest and valley folds C, as
indicated by double-dotted lines in FIG. 2, and as shown in FIGS. 7
and 11, such that the lower edge 12b side of the airbag 12 is
brought closer to the upper edge 12a side.
[0087] After being folded up, the airbag 12 is wrapped at
predetermined positions by unillustrated breakable tape for keeping
the folded-up configuration. By attaching the inflator 39, the
mounting brackets 37 and 40 thereto, an airbag module is
formed.
[0088] Then the individual mounting brackets 37 and 40 are located
at predetermined positions of the inner panel 2 as a member of the
body 1, and are fixed thereto by inserting the bolts 38 and 41 into
the mounting holes 25a, 31b and 33e and fastening them to the inner
panel 2. Thus the airbag module is attached to the vehicle body 1.
Subsequently, an unillustrated lead wire extending from a
predetermined control device for actuating the inflator is
connected to the inflator 39. If the front pillar garnish 4, the
roof head lining 5, and further the rear pillar garnish 6 and the
center pillar garnish 7 are attached to the vehicle body 1, the
airbag device M1 is mounted on the vehicle V.
[0089] When the inflator 39 is actuated after the airbag device M1
is mounted on the vehicle V, inflation gas G is discharged from the
inflator 39 and flows into the gas feed passage 14 from the joint
port 22, and then flows through the gas feed passage 14 in both
front and rear directions, as indicated by double-dotted lines in
FIGS. 2 and 3. Then the gas G is supplied to each of the vertical
chambers 17 (17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, 17E, 17F, 17G and 17H) via each of
the communication ports 18, so that each of the admissive portions
15 and 16 of the airbag 12 starts to inflate while unfolding. The
airbag 12 then breaks the tape that had wrapped the airbag, pushes
and opens the airbag cover 8 in the lower edges 4a and 5a of the
front pillar garnish 4 and the roof head lining 5, and inflates to
cover the vehicle's inner side I of the windows W1 and W2, the
center pillar CP, and the rear pillar RP, as indicated by
double-dotted lines in FIG. 1, while protruding downward.
[0090] As the gas feed passage 14 starts to inflate, the
substantial lengths of the vehicle's outer wall 13a and the inner
wall 13b become differentiated by the length adjusters 31A, 31B and
31C, so that the guide portions 19 where the vehicle's inner wall
13a is protruded toward the vehicle's exterior O from the general
portion 14a of the gas feed passage 14 are formed respectively in
the periphery of the communication ports 18A, 18B and 18C in the
gas feed passage 14 (refer to FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8). Thus, inflation
gas G is directed toward the exterior O by the guide portions 19
after running forward through the gas feed passage 14, and then
flows into the vertical chambers 17A, 17B and 17C via the
individual communication ports 18A, 18B and 18C located in
downstream part of inflation gas G, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In
other words, since the guide portions 19 guide inflation gas G to
flow into the vertical chambers 17A, 17B and 17C obliquely down and
toward the vehicle's exterior O, the vertical chambers 17A, 17B and
17C deploy downward along the window W1, as indicated by
double-dotted lines in FIG. 10, so that the entire airbag 12 also
deploys along the windows W1 and W2, and then completes inflation
as indicated by double-dotted lines in FIG. 1 and solid lines in
FIG. 10. Here, in an area above the communication ports 18B and
18C, inflation gas G partially flows into the vertical chambers 17B
and 17C via the communication ports 18B and 18C, and the remainder
flows forward through the gas feed passage 14.
[0091] As thus described, in the first embodiment M1 of the
head-protecting airbag device according to the present invention,
with respect to the periphery of the communication ports 18A, 18B
and 18C in the gas feed passage 14 of the airbag 12, deployment of
the airbag 12 along the windows W1 and W2 is secured by merely
differentiating the substantial lengths of the vehicle's outer wall
13b and the inner wall 13a. Moreover, as an arrangement to
differentiate the substantial lengths of the vehicle's outer wall
13b and the inner wall 13a, the airbag 12 is provided with the
flexible length adjuster 31 (31A, 31B and 31C) as a gas flow
regulating means 50 such that tucks 20 are formed in the vehicle's
inner wall 13a in the gas feed passage 14. That is, in the
foregoing embodiment, the means 50 to enable the deployment along
the windows W1 and W2 is constructed by the airbag 12 itself, which
dispenses with a separate member conventionally located in a pillar
portion. Therefore, the airbag device M1 is made compact. In the
airbag device M1, furthermore, mounting work on the vehicle V is
facilitated since the airbag 12 deployable along the windows W1 and
W2 can be mounted on the vehicle V by folding and housing the
airbag 12 in the upper edge of the windows W1 and W2 together with
the aforementioned length adjuster 31.
[0092] Therefore, the head-protecting airbag device M1 is able to
ensure the deployment of the airbag 12 along the windows W1 and W2
and is made compact, so that workability is improved in the
mounting work of the airbag on the vehicle V.
[0093] In addition, in the airbag device M1, upon deployment of the
airbag 12, as referred to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the suspender 33
located at vehicle's exterior side O of the airbag 12 holds down
the vehicle's inner portion 17c of the vertical chamber 17C in its
upper part 17a while lifting the vehicle's outer side portion 17b
in the upper part 17a toward the housing position 11, so that the
vertical chamber 17C is pressed toward the window W1 with the lower
part 17d turning around the upper part 17a toward the exterior O.
Consequently, the vertical chamber 17C deploys along the window W1
including the lower part 17d, as shown in FIG. 12, so that the
entire airbag 12 deploys along the window W1 and completes
inflation.
[0094] With this arrangement, too, deployment of the airbag 12
along the windows W1 is secured by merely locating a flexible
suspender belt 33 as a gas flow regulating means 50 that is joined
to at least one vertical chamber 17C and to the vehicle body 1 in
the vicinity of the housing position 11 of the airbag 12. Since a
separate member conventionally located in a pillar portion is not
required, the airbag device M1 can be made compact. Moreover, this
suspender belt 33 has flexibility, and is joined to the vehicle
body 1 in the vicinity of the housing position 11 of the airbag 12
and to the airbag 12. Accordingly, if the airbag 12 is folded up
together with the suspender belt 33 joined with the airbag 12, and
is housed in the upper edge of the window W1 with the suspender
belt 33 joined to the inner panel 2 of the body 1, the airbag 12
that is deployable along the window W1 is easily mounted on the
vehicle V, so that the mounting work on the vehicle V is
facilitated.
[0095] With this arrangement, too, therefore, the head-protecting
airbag device M1 is able to ensure the deployment of the airbag 12
along the windows W1 and W2 and is made compact, so that
workability is improved in the mounting work on the vehicle V.
[0096] Although the airbag 12 is provided both with the length
adjuster 31 and the suspender belt 33, it will also be appreciated
to employ only either one of the length adjuster 31 or the
suspender belt 33.
[0097] Moreover, although the airbag 12 includes the length
adjusters 31A, 31B and 31C respectively located in upper positions
of the three partitioning portions 26A, 26B and 26C in the front
admissive portion 15 in the gas feed passage 14, the length
adjuster may be located in upper position of either one of the
partitioning portions such as the partitioning portion 26C. The
length adjuster may also be located in the gas feed passage 14 in
the rear admissive portion 16. However, if the length adjuster is
located near the inflator 39 or in upstream part of inflation gas
G, the airbag 12 is able to deploy along the windows W1 and W2
swiftly.
[0098] Although the illustrated embodiment shows the airbag 12
including one suspender belt 33, the suspender belt 33 may be
located in other vertical chambers 17, too. For example, the belt
33 may be located in at least one of the vertical chambers such as
17G in the rear admissive portion 16.
[0099] In the airbag 12, furthermore, the suspender belt 33
includes the ring portion 33a that encircles the outer
circumference of the upper part 17a of the inflated vertical
chamber 17. However, it will also be appreciated that the joint
portion 33c may be joined directly at its lower end to the upper
part of a vertical portion 26b of the partitioning portion 26 next
to the upper part 17a, as long as the vertical chamber 17 as
inflated is pressed toward the windows W1 and W2.
[0100] In addition, if the vertical chamber 17 as inflated can be
pressed toward the windows W1 and W2, the lower end of the
suspender belt 33 may be joined to a vertical chamber 17 or the gas
feed passage 14. More specifically, as referred to FIGS. 13 to 19,
the lower end 33f of the suspender belt 33A as a gas flow
regulating means 50 may be joined to the vehicle's outer side 14b
in a lower part or vertically intermediate position of the gas feed
passage 14, or alternatively, the lower end 33f of the suspender
belt 33B as a gas flow regulating means 50 may be joined to the
vehicle's outer side 17b in a vertically intermediate position or
an upper part of the vertical chamber 17, for example.
[0101] In this airbag 12A, too, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, upon
deployment, the suspender belt 33A located in the vehicle's
exterior side O of the airbag 12A helps slant the periphery of the
communication port 18A of the vertical chamber 17A in the gas feed
passage 14 such that the vehicle's inner portion 14c is lowered and
the outer portion 14b is lifted, and thus inflation gas G flowing
into the vertical chamber 17A from the communication port 18A is
directed obliquely down and toward the vehicle's exterior O. As
shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the suspender belt 33B located in the
vehicle's exterior side O of the airbag 12A also helps the vertical
chamber 17C to be pressed toward the window W1 by lowering the
vehicle's inner portion 17c in the upper part 17a while lifting the
vehicle's outer portion 17b in the upper part 17a toward the
housing position 11, and thus turning the lower part 17b of the
vertical chamber 17C toward the vehicle's exterior O around the
upper part 17a. Consequently, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, the
vertical chambers 17A and 17C deploy along the window W1 including
the lower parts 17d, and thus the entire airbag 12A deploy along
the windows W1 and W2, and completes inflation.
[0102] FIGS. 20 to 23 illustrate a second embodiment of the
head-protecting airbag device of the present invention, which will
be called a head-protecting airbag device M2 below. An airbag 12B
included in the airbag device M2 is, as the airbag 12, manufactured
by hollow-weaving method utilizing polyamide yarns or the like, and
includes a gas admissive portion 13 inflatable upon inflow of
inflation gas G by separating a vehicle's inner wall 13a and an
outer wall 13b, and a non-admissive portion 23 which is formed by
joining the vehicle's inner wall 13a and the outer wall 13b and
admits no inflation gas G. Unlike the airbag 12, however, the
airbag 12B includes neither a length adjuster 31 nor a suspender
belt 33, but instead includes inflatable auxiliary chambers 52 as a
gas flow regulating means 50 in the gas admissive portion 13.
[0103] Auxiliary chambers 52 (52A, 52C, 52F and 52H) of the airbag
12B are located above the gas feed passage 14 as completely
inflated, and are adapted to inflate between the inner panel 2A as
part of vehicle body 1 and the lower edge 5a of the roof head
lining 5 as an airbag cover 8 for covering the vehicle's interior
side I in an openable manner in the vicinity of the housing
position 11 of the airbag 12B. In the second embodiment, the
auxiliary chambers 52 (52A, 52C, 52F and 52H) are located above the
vertical chambers 17A, 17C, 17F and 17H, respectively.
[0104] The opening dimension OW of each of the auxiliary chambers
52 in the front-rear direction is predetermined substantially equal
to the opening dimension of each of communication ports 18 of the
vertical chambers 17 opened at lower side of the auxiliary chambers
52 in the front-rear direction. Moreover, in the foregoing
embodiment, widths OW of each of the auxiliary chambers 52 and of
each of the vertical chambers 17, as the airbag 12B is flatly
expanded, are predetermined substantially equal to each other.
[0105] Each of the auxiliary chambers 52 is located to project
upward than each of the mounting portions 25 disposed in the upper
edge 12a of the gas admissive portion 13. In the airbag 12B, in
other words, the mounting portions 25 to be attached to the inner
panel 2A of the vehicle body 1 are located below the upper ends 52a
of the auxiliary chambers 52 and above the vertical chambers 17
when the airbag 12B is completely inflated.
[0106] The airbag 12B further includes inflatable secondary
chambers (secondary vertical chambers) 57 (57B and 57G) at
positions corresponding to the vertical chambers 17B and 17G of the
airbag 12. Each of the secondary chambers 57 inflates in the
vertical direction below the gas feed passage 14 upon deployment of
the airbag 12B, and has its upper end 57a not communicated with the
gas feed passage 14. In both front and rearwards of each of the
secondary chambers 57B and 57G are located the vertical chambers 17
(17A, 17C, 17F and 17H) having the auxiliary chambers 52
thereabove. Each of the secondary chambers 57B and 57G is
communicated with a lower part of at least one of the vertical
chambers 17 located front and rearward thereof, and this
communicated portion acts as an inlet port 58 for introducing
inflation gas into the secondary vertical chambers 57B and 57G. In
the illustrated embodiment, the inlet port 58 is located in both
front and rear parts of each of the secondary chambers 57B and
57G.
[0107] Here in the airbag 12B, common members with the airbag 12
will be designated common reference numerals, and description
thereof will be omitted. The airbag 12B further includes a flow
regulating cloth 60 within a joint port 22. The flow regulating
cloth 60 is joined with unillustrated inflator 39 for helping
inflation gas G to flow in both front and rear directions in the
gas feed passage 14.
[0108] As the airbag 12, the airbag 12B is bellows-folded on folds
C, and then is mounted on a vehicle together with the inflator 39
and unillustrated brackets 37 and 40 assembled with the airbag
12B.
[0109] When inflation gas is discharged from the inflator 39, the
airbag 12B of the head-protecting airbag device M2 inflates by
admitting inflation gas G into the gas admissive portion 13, and
then pushes and open an airbag cover 8 and deploy. When the
auxiliary chambers 52 inflate together with the gas feed passage 14
in the initial stage of inflation of the airbag 12B, the gas feed
passage 14 and the auxiliary chambers 52 are pushed by the airbag
cover 8, and the auxiliary chambers 52 come to abut against the
inner panel 2A as part of the vehicle body 1, as shown in FIGS. 21
and 22. At this time, since the inner panel 2A is slanted toward
the vehicle's exterior O as it goes down, the auxiliary chambers 52
supported by the inner panel 2A direct their lower parts toward the
exterior O. Then inflation gas G flowing into the vertical chambers
17 via the communication ports 18 from the gas feed passage 14 is
directed down and toward the exterior O. As a result, as referred
to FIG. 23, the vertical chambers 17 are pressed toward the window
W while inflating.
[0110] This arrangement dispenses with a separate member
conventionally located in a pillar portion by merely locating the
auxiliary chambers 52 as a gas flow regulating means 50 in the gas
admissive portion 13 of the airbag 12B. Therefore, the airbag
device M2 is made compact, and workability is improved in the
mounting work on the vehicle.
[0111] Especially in the second embodiment, the auxiliary chambers
52 are located above the plurality of (four, in the illustrated
embodiment) vertical chambers 17A, 17C, 17F and 17H. Accordingly,
all of the vertical chambers 17A, 17C, 17F and 17H located
respectively below the plurality of auxiliary chambers 52 are able
to deploy along the window W, which stabilizes the deployment of
the entire airbag 12B along the window W.
[0112] In the second embodiment, moreover, the opening dimension OW
of each of the auxiliary chambers 52 in the front-rear direction is
substantially equal to the opening dimension of each of the
communication ports 18 opened at lower side of the auxiliary
chambers 52 in the front-rear direction. With this arrangement,
each of the auxiliary chambers 52 inflates into a vertical
rod-shape having rigidity together with the upper part 17a of the
vertical chamber 17 located below the auxiliary chamber 52, thereby
achieving further stable deployment of the vertical chamber 17
along the window W.
[0113] Furthermore, the airbag 12B is provided below the upper ends
52a of the auxiliary chambers 52 as completely inflated and above
the vertical chambers 17 with the mounting portions 25 to be
attached to the inner panel 2A. With this arrangement, when each of
the auxiliary chambers 52 is inflated and supported by the inner
panel 2A, each of the vertical chambers 17 is pressed toward the
window W like a lever in which the mounting portion 25 serves as
fulcrum SP, the auxiliary chamber 52 serves as effort-point FP, and
the inflating vertical chamber 17 located below the auxiliary
chamber 52 serves as resistance-point EP. In the airbag 12B,
therefore, the vertical chambers 17 are able to deploy along the
window W stably whether or not the airbag cover 8 presses the gas
feed passage 14 and the auxiliary chambers 52.
[0114] In addition, the airbag 12B includes the secondary chambers
57 (57B and 57G) that inflate vertically below the gas feed passage
14 upon airbag deployment and are not communicated at the upper
ends 57a with the gas feed passage 14. In both front and rearwards
of each of the secondary chambers 57 (57B and 57G) are located the
vertical chambers 17 (17A, 17C, 17F and 17H) having the auxiliary
chambers 52 thereabove. Moreover, each of the secondary chambers 57
includes the inlet port 58 for inflation gas G communicated with
lower part of at least one of the vertical chambers 17 located
front and rearwards of the secondary chamber 57. With this
arrangement, the secondary chambers 57 are able to complete
downward expansion in a thin condition before admitting inflation
gas G along with expansion of the both vertical chambers 17 located
front and rearwards thereof, and then inflate by admitting
inflation gas G from the inlet ports 58. Accordingly, the airbag
12B is able to deploy the secondary chambers 57 smoothly even in a
narrow space between occupants and the window W.
[0115] In the airbag 12B of the airbag device M2, the auxiliary
chambers 52 (52A, 52C, 52F and 52H) are located separately from one
another above the vertical chambers 17 (17A, 17C, 17F and 17H),
respectively. However, the airbag device may be arranged as a
head-protecting airbag device M3 shown in FIGS. 24 to 27, which is
a third embodiment of the present invention. In the airbag device
M3, an airbag 12C is, as the airbag 12, manufactured by
hollow-weaving method utilizing polyamide yarns or the like, and
includes a gas admissive portion 13 inflatable upon inflow of
inflation gas G by separating a vehicle's inner wall 13a and an
outer wall 13b, and a non-admissive portion 23 which is formed by
joining the vehicle's inner wall 13a and the outer wall 13b and
admits no inflation gas G.
[0116] Unlike the airbag 12B, however, the airbag 12C does not
include a secondary chamber 57. The airbag 12C includes a single
inflatable auxiliary chamber 52J that is continuous in the
front-rear direction and located above three vertical chambers 17A,
17B and 17C, and a single inflatable auxiliary chamber 52K that is
continuous in the front-rear direction and located above three
vertical chambers 17F, 17G and 17H. The airbag 12C is further
provided in the vicinity of the border of the gas feed passage 14
and the auxiliary chambers 52J and 52K with non-admissive portions
23 each of which includes a slit 62 cut through in inverted U
shape. Each of the slits 62 defines a mounting portion 25.
[0117] Here in the airbag 12C, common members with the airbags 12
and 12B will be designated common reference numerals, and
description thereof will be omitted. As the airbag 12, the airbag
12C is also bellows-folded on folds C, and then is mounted on a
vehicle together with an unillustrated inflator 39 and
unillustrated brackets 37 and 40 assembled with the airbag 12C.
[0118] When inflation gas is discharged from the inflator 39, the
airbag 12C of the head-protecting airbag device M3 inflates by
admitting inflation gas G into the gas admissive portion 13, and
then pushes and open an airbag cover 8 and deploys. When the
auxiliary chambers 52 (52J and 52K) inflate together with the gas
feed passage 14 in the initial stage of inflation of the airbag
12C, the gas feed passage 14 and the auxiliary chambers 52 are
pushed by the airbag cover 8, and the auxiliary chambers 52 (52J
and 52K) come to abut against the inner panel 2A as part of the
vehicle body 1, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. At this time, since
the inner panel 2A is slanted toward the vehicle's exterior O as it
goes down, the auxiliary chambers 52 (52J and 52K) supported by the
inner panel 2A direct their lower parts toward the exterior O. Then
inflation gas G flowing into the vertical chambers 17 via the
communication ports 18 from the gas feed passage 14 is directed
down and toward the exterior O. As a result, as referred to FIG.
27, the vertical chambers 17 are pressed toward the window W while
inflating, so that the same working-effects as in the second
embodiment are obtained.
[0119] It will also be appreciated that the airbag is arranged as
an airbag 12D in a fourth embodiment of the head-protecting airbag
device M4 shown in FIGS. 28 to 31. As the airbag 12C, the airbag
12D is manufactured by hollow-weaving method utilizing polyamide
yarns or the like, and includes a gas admissive portion 13
inflatable upon inflow of inflation gas G by separating a vehicle's
inner wall 13a and an outer wall 13b, and a non-admissive portion
23 which is formed by joining the vehicle's inner wall 13a and the
outer wall 13b and admits no inflation gas G. Unlike the airbag
12C, however, the airbag 12D does not include auxiliary chambers
52J and 52K as a gas flow regulating means 50, but includes a
joining inflatable portion 64 as a gas flow regulating means 50
formed by increasing the capacity of a part below the gas feed
passage 14 in the gas admissive portion 13.
[0120] More specifically, the airbag 12D is provided in the gas
admissive portion 13 with a joining inflatable portion 64 that is
located vertically between the gas feed passage 14 and the vertical
chambers 17 as completely inflated, and inflates between the inner
panel 2A as part of vehicle body 1 and the lower edge 5a of the
roof head lining 5 as an airbag cover 8 for openably covering the
vehicle's interior side I in the vicinity of the housing position
11 of the airbag 12D. This joining inflatable portion 64
constitutes the gas flow regulating means 50. As viewed from a
different aspect, the airbag 12D can be described as having the
individual vertical chambers 17 vertically elongated, such that the
lower end 5b of the lower edge 5a of the head roof lining 5 as
opened is located below the horizontal portions 26a of the
partitioning portions 26, and as having the individual mounting
portions 25 to be attached to the inner panel 2A located at higher
positions than the airbags 12 and 12C.
[0121] In this airbag 12D, too, common members with the airbags 12
and 12C will be designated common reference numerals, and
description thereof will be omitted. As the airbags 12 and 12C, the
airbag 12D is also bellows-folded on folds C, and then is mounted
on a vehicle together with an unillustrated inflator 39 and
unillustrated brackets 37 and 40 assembled with the airbag 12D.
[0122] When inflated, in the head-protecting airbag device M4, the
joining inflatable portion 64 carries out the function of the
auxiliary chambers 52 in the airbags 12B and 12C. More
specifically, if the joining inflatable portion 64 inflates
together with the gas feed passage 14 in the initial stage of
inflation of the airbag 12D, the gas feed passage 14 and the
joining inflatable portion 64 are pushed by the airbag cover 8, and
the joining inflatable portion 64 comes to abut against and
supported by the inner panel 2B as part of the vehicle body 1, as
shown in FIGS. 29 and 30. At this time, since the inner panel 2B is
slanted toward the vehicle's exterior O as it goes down, the
joining inflatable portion 64 supported by the inner panel 2B
directs its lower part toward the exterior O. Then inflation gas G
flowing into the vertical chambers 17 via the communication ports
18 from the gas feed passage 14 is directed down and toward the
exterior O. As a result, as referred to FIG. 31, the vertical
chambers 17 are pressed toward the window W while inflating.
[0123] This arrangement dispenses with a separate member
conventionally located in a pillar portion by merely locating the
joining inflatable portion 64 in the gas admissive portion 13 of
the airbag 12D. Therefore, the airbag device M4 is made compact,
and workability is improved in the mounting work on the
vehicle.
[0124] Here in the airbag 12D, the joining inflatable portion 64 is
located above all the vertical chambers 17. However, the airbag may
be arranged such that the joining inflatable portion 64 is located
above only one or predetermined vertical chambers 17 by lowering
the location of the horizontal portions 26a of predetermined
partitioning portions 26, or by closing an upper part of
predetermined vertical chamber 17 and discommunicating the vertical
chamber 17 and the gas feed passage 14.
[0125] Furthermore, it will also be appreciated that the airbag
device is arranged as a fifth embodiment of the head-protecting
airbag device M5 shown in FIGS. 32 to 39. This airbag device M5
includes two kinds of gas flow regulating means 50 (68 and 80). A
first gas flow regulating means 68 is a holder 68 that is located
proximate to the housing position 11 of the airbag 12E for holding
and fixing the periphery of a communication port 18 of at least one
vertical chamber 17 upon airbag deployment. A second gas flow
regulating means 80 is constituted by a regulating portion 80
located in the lower edge 75a of a roof head lining 75 as an airbag
cover 8 in the vicinity of the housing position 11 of the airbag
12E.
[0126] As the airbag 12, the airbag 12E is manufactured by
hollow-weaving method utilizing polyamide yarns or the like, and
includes a gas admissive portion 13 inflatable upon inflow of
inflation gas G by separating a vehicle's inner wall 13a and an
outer wall 13b, and a non-admissive portion 23 which is formed by
joining the vehicle's inner wall 13a and the outer wall 13b and
admits no inflation gas G. Unlike the airbag 12, however, the
airbag 12E includes slits 66 for inserting projected portions 70 of
the holders 68 as a gas flow regulating means 50 therethrough. The
slits 66 are cut through in horizontal portions 26a of the both
partitioning portions 26 located front and rearwards of the
vertical chamber 17C.
[0127] In this airbag 12E, too, common members with the airbag 12
will be designated common reference numerals, and description
thereof will be omitted. As the airbag 12, the airbag 12E is also
bellows-folded on folds C, and then is mounted on a vehicle
together with an unillustrated inflator 39 and unillustrated
brackets 37 and 40 assembled with the airbag 12E. However, when
mounted on vehicle, the airbag 12E is also assembled together with
the holder 68, and mounted on vehicle together with the holder
68.
[0128] The holder 68 is made of sheet metal to have a substantially
L-shaped section, and includes a fixing portion 69 to be secured to
the inner panel 2 by a bolt 73, and two projected portions 70
projected from the fixing portion 69 toward the vehicle's interior
I. Between the projected portions 70 is a recessed portion 71 whose
dimension corresponds to a clearance between the slits 66 of the
airbag 12E as completely inflated, or whose dimension substantially
equals to the outer diameter of the periphery of the communication
port 18C of the vertical chamber 17C as completely inflated. The
fixing portion 69 is provided with a fixing hole 69a for inserting
the bolt 73 for bolt-fixing of the holder 68 therethrough. The bolt
73 is fastened into a nut 2b located in a mounting hole 2a of the
inner panel 2.
[0129] The holder 68 is predetermined so that, when the projected
portions 70 are inserted into the slits 66 and the fixing portion
69 is secured to vehicle, inflation gas G flowing into the vertical
chamber 17C via the communication port 18C from the gas feed
passage 14 is directed down and toward the exterior O. In other
words, the holder 68 is so predetermined that, as attached to
vehicle, the thickness direction of the projected portions 70 and
the axial direction X1 of an opening plane 72 of the recessed
portion 71 located between the projected portions 70 are directed
along the window W, or toward the vehicle's exterior O as going
down.
[0130] On the other hand, a part 80 of the roof head lining 75 is
constructed to open less toward the vehicle's interior I than the
remaining part 79 so that one vertical chamber 17G is pressed
toward the exterior O during deployment. More specifically, the
roof head lining 75 includes a body portion 76 made of synthetic
resin such as polypropylene, and a surface skin 78 made of fabric
or the like and adhered to the vehicle's interior side I of the
body portion 76. Furthermore, an insert 77 is embedded in the body
portion 76 in the vicinity of the vertical chamber 17G. The part
where the insert 77 is embedded serves as the regulating portion
80. The lower end 80a of the part 80 is suppressed relative to the
opening width toward the vehicle's interior I upon protrusion of
the airbag 12E than the lower ends 79a of the remaining part 79
where no insert 77 is embedded.
[0131] In the head-protecting airbag device M5 in the fifth
embodiment, when an unillustrated inflator 39 is actuated and
inflation gas G flows into the individual vertical chambers 17 from
the joint port 22 and through the gas feed passage 14 of the gas
admissive portion 13, inflation gas G flowing into the vertical
chamber 17C is directed down and toward the exterior O securely, as
referred to FIGS. 34 to 36, since the holder 68 holds the periphery
of the communication port 18C. Consequently, the airbag 12E is able
to deploy the vertical chamber 17C along the window W easily by the
holder 68, and the airbag 12E around the vertical chamber 17c
deploys along the window W as well. The holder 68 has only to be
located proximate to the communication port 18C of the housed
vertical chamber 17B, unlike a vertically elongate predetermined
member conventionally located in a pillar portion. Therefore, the
airbag device M5 is made compact, and the workability is improved
in mounting the airbag device on vehicle.
[0132] In the airbag device M5, moreover, upon deployment of the
airbag 12E, the regulating portion 80 of the roof head lining 75 as
an airbag cover 8 presses the vertical chamber 17G toward the
exterior O. Accordingly, the communication port 18G of the vertical
chamber 17G is directed down and toward the exterior O, and thus
the vertical chamber 17G deploys along the window W. This
arrangement can be made easily by merely enhancing the rigidity of
a part 80 of the airbag cover 75, without changing the construction
of the rear admissive portion 16 itself of the airbag 12E. That is,
the airbag device M5 dispenses with a member which was
conventionally located in a pillar portion, and is constructed
compactly. In addition, the airbag device M5 is constructed easily
by merely changing the design of the airbag cover 75, which is a
conventional part of the airbag device, so that the airbag device
M5 does not increase the number of parts mounted on the vehicle.
Accordingly, the workability is improved in mounting the airbag
device on vehicle. With this arrangement, of course, it is
prevented to the utmost that deployment of the entire airbag 12E is
delayed, since the airbag cover 75 is not rigidified entirely.
[0133] The foregoing embodiment shows the holder 68 which holds the
periphery of the communication port 18C of one vertical chamber
17C. However, it will also be appreciated that one holder holds the
peripheries of communication ports 18 of a plurality of vertical
chambers 17. Alternatively, the peripheries of a plurality of
communication ports 18 may be held by a plurality of holders.
[0134] Although the roof head lining 75 of the fifth embodiment is
constructed to press only one vertical chamber 17G, the roof head
lining 75 may be so constructed as to press a plurality of
inflating vertical chambers 17 toward the exterior O.
[0135] Although the airbag device M5 of the fifth embodiment
includes two gas flow regulating means 68 and 80, the airbag device
M5 may employ only either one of the means 68 or 80.
[0136] Moreover, the head-protecting airbag device may employ more
than one gas flow regulating means together out of the means 50
(31, 33, 52, 64, 68 and 80) described in the first to fifth
embodiments.
* * * * *